"Can you believe it, Octo?" he said, trying to inject his usual warmth into the words. "After all these years, Jayden and I are finally together."

He laughed, a sound that didn't quite reach his eyes. "And to think he didn't like me that way, huh? Look at us now. Who would've thought that the boy I've been crushing on since forever would end up being the man of my dreams?"

But his monologue was interrupted by a familiar voice.

"Talking to the zord now, are we?" Jayden teased, his presence a comforting warmth at Antonio's back.

Antonio turned, his eyes sparkling despite the ache in his chest.

"You know, Jay, before we reunited, this little guy here has been with me through it all. It's like having a piece of you with me all the time."

The words hung in the air, heavy and loaded. Jayden's smile faded, and he looked away, tension creeping into his posture.

"Last night," he started, his voice unsteady. "What happened between us... it was a mistake. It can't happen again."

The ground beneath Antonio's feet might as well have crumbled away.

His world, so briefly illuminated by the possibility of mutual affection, darkened once more.

Antonio felt as though he'd been plunged into icy water. "A mistake?" he echoed, his voice a strained whisper. "But... Jayden, I thought... I thought you felt the same way I do."

Jayden's expression softened, empathy mingling with resolve. "I care about you, Antonio. I always have. But what we did... it wasn't right. The life we live is risky, and I don't want to lose you like I almost had with Rhinosnorus."

Antonio's heart raced, a tumultuous storm of emotion brewing.

"No, I won't accept that. You do love me the way I love you—I can see it in your eyes!" His voice rose, a mix of anger and desperation. "What is this, some bad soap opera plot twist where you push me away for my own good?"

Jayden's gaze was unwavering, serious. "I'm serious, Antonio. I'm not playing any games; I'm just being honest. Our friendship, our duty as Power Rangers—that's where it has to stay."

The hurt was palpable, and Antonio felt it in every word that Jayden didn't say.

"So that's it?" he said, his voice tinged with incredulity and sarcasm. "We just pretend like last night never happened? Like our feelings are some kind of... Nighlok we can just defeat and forget?"

Jayden's resolve seemed to waver, his eyes softening. "I don't want to hurt you, Antonio."

"Too late for that," Antonio said, a hint of bitterness seeping through. "But you know what hurts more? Pretending that what happened between us meant nothing."

They stood in silence, the tension between them a living thing but before more could be said Jayden's communicator beeped, slicing through the tense air.

"Antonio, there's a Nighlok attack in the city. Duty calls, huh?" Jayden said, reluctant to leave but bound by his responsibilities.

Antonio's sarcasm was a shield, a way to guard his breaking heart. "Oh, sure, off you go to save the world again. Don't mind me; I'm just the guy with the talking zord."

Jayden's concern was evident, but Antonio cut him off before he could say more.

"I know, I know. The world isn't going to save itself. But Octo here seems to be having a bit of a technical meltdown. I can't leave him like this."

As if on cue, the Octozord glitched, its systems sparking in false distress.

Jayden's eyes widened with concern. "Will he be all right?"

"Yeah, he'll pull through. I'm the tech guy, remember? Now go, the team needs you." Antonio's voice was a mix of sincerity and forced cheerfulness.

Jayden hesitated, torn between his duty and the man before him.

"Just go i need i soem time alone." Antonio informed and with a final, lingering look, the Red Ranger turned and raced towards the impending battle.

Antonio watched him go, the weight of their unfinished conversation pressing down on him. He turned back to the Octozord, his smile faltering.

"Great performance, buddy," he muttered to the zord. "You might just have a career in acting if this whole Power Ranger gig doesn't work out."

The little zord whirred as if in understanding, and Antonio couldn't help but chuckle "Not sure if I should be thanking you for the glitch or fixing you up."

Meanwhile:

"Jayden," Ji began, his voice even, "did you speak with Antonio as you?"

Jayden's hands clenched at his sides, the weight of his decision heavy on his shoulders.

"I did," he confirmed, his voice barely concealing the turmoil within.

"I'm sorry it has to be this way," Mentor Ji said, the sorrow in his tone a mirror to Jayden's own regret.

Jayden shook his head, attempting to fortify his resolve with duty. "It's the only way to keep him safe. I'm his protector now, first and foremost. Our...personal feelings have to come second to that."

Mentor Ji studied Jayden closely, the wisdom of years etched into his face. "And yet, I sense some conflicting emotions from you, Jayden," he remarked, his voice tinged with a hint of sarcasm.

Jayden's jaw tightened as he struggled to contain the whirlwind of emotions inside him. "Mentor, how can I get him to understand? He's my best friend, and he almost got taken away by that dream Nighlok." His voice cracked with the weight of his words, revealing the raw pain he had been carrying. "And since that night we spent together, I can't shake the feelings that have been unlocked during it."

Mentor Ji's expression softened as he regarded Jayden. "Jayden, you must remember that your duty as a samurai is to protect not only his physical well-being but also his emotional and spiritual health. Keeping him in the dark about your true feelings may cause him more harm than good."

Jayden's frustration bubbled to the surface. "But what if our bond becomes a liability? I can't afford distractions, especially not now, with the threat of the Nighloks growing stronger."

Mentor Ji leaned forward, his eyes piercing into Jayden's troubled gaze. "You may think you're shielding Antonio from harm, but have you considered that by denying your true feelings, you might be causing him more pain than you realize?"

"I can't risk his safety for my own desires." Jayden simply said as he went to his room without another word as Mentor shook his head.